Troubleshooting HO Engine

[mnatcradar]

I was asked to troubleshoot a Sante Fe #307 HO Engine.  The Light lit up, and I can hear the motor wanting to turn...I  have tried going forward and reverse on the controller, but it just sits there.  What else do I need to check on it?

[Jim Banner]

Is the motor wanting to turn or does is sound like it is actually turning?  Sometimes plastic gears split and sometimes the hole becomes enlarged, allowing the shaft to turn inside the gear or the gear to spin of the shaft.  Often you can see what is happening if you apply power to the locomotive with the shell removed.  A good 9 volt alkaline battery applied to the wheels is a quick and convenient way to power up an H0 locomotive for testing.

With the shell off, you can often turn the motor by pushing of the flywheel with a finger or a pencil eraser.  So if there is no action with the 9 volt battery applied to the wheels, you may be able to turn the flywheel or a drive shaft to see if something is jammed up.

Jim